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Healthy living is an ideal that many, in some form or another, strive for. 

At Clark County Farm Bureau, individuals recently had the opportunity to learn from highly qualified professionals and more. 

A seminar titled “Ready…Set…Start!” promoting wellness in multiple ways occurred at the Clark County Farm Bureau at 115 S. Highland Street. 

“I think it’s been a wonderful day,” said Carolyn Burtner, who helped put together the event. “I think everyone was excited to see how it all fits well together!” 

Beginning at 9:00 a.m., the seminar featured a session titled, “Winning@Wellness”. 

It was led by social worker Bradlee Y. Burtner, son of Carolyn and former Winchester Mayor Ed Burtner, as well as Dr. Patricia Stewart-Hopkins, an adjunct professor at Lindsey Wilson College in Adair County. 

“I think one of the big takeaways from our session [is] that we have to define wellness for ourselves,”  noted Stewart-Hopkins. “When we set goals around wellness, they have to be aligned to our values. When we set goals that are based on other people’s wellness plans, often we get derailed.” 

Later in the day, a session titled “Movement & Community for Wellness” led by Legacy Greenscapes Executive Director Deborah Jackson as well as Tiffany Fletcher and Barbara Amyx of Winchester-Clark County Parks and Recreation occurred. 

As a part of the session, attendees participated in a drum circle, allowing all in a circle to play the percussion instrument in repetition along with others.

Jackson stated that such an activity was beneficial in more ways than one. 

“[It’s] a great way of communicating when you don’t have the words to do it,” she said. “There’s no failure in a drum circle…when we’re all playing together, this feeling of community is here.” 

Certainly not least, Amy M. Williams – who holds a bachelor of science degrees in both community nutrition and general dietetics – guided the approximately 30 participants through a session titled “Brain Food for Wellness”. 

Williams presented several points, encouraging proper dieting that consists of features such as Omega-3’s and less saturated fats. 

“You can’t out-exercise a bad diet,”  she said. 

She also linked five items – green veggies, fatty fish, berries, tea and coffee, and walnuts – to better brain power. 

Attendees were welcome to try several of the items. 

Plus, Williams presented the DASH diet. 

An acronym standing for “Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension”, the DASH diet has proven to help lower blood pressure and prevent heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and even some forms of cancer according to the National Heart, Lung, & Blood Institute. 

Collectively, Stewart-Hopkins acknowledged that the presence of different speakers was encouraging. 

“I was just really excited that each of the presenters allowed themselves to be vulnerable and share part of their wellness journey,” she said. “I think the audience was really receptive to that.” 

As a continuing effort to promote public health, upcoming events include a summer diabetes class to provide awareness of problem solving and monitoring at the Clark County Health Department, 273 Shoppers Drive, on Thursday, June 20 from 5:15 p.m. to 6:15 p.m.